CRITICS' CHOICE: NEW CD'S

Everybody loves the Notorious B.I.G. now that he's eight years dead. His second posthumous album, "Duets: The Final Chapter," is both heartfelt tribute and crass cash-in. It includes some self-justification from its executive producer, P. Diddy, who claims, "I molded his mind," and adds, "Critics laughed, said I made a fortune off of his passing/ All I did was build a dynasty off of his passion."

This latest assemblage recycles previously released B.I.G. rhymes; it also provides some double-decker necrophilia by pairing B.I.G. with Big Pun, Bob Marley and 2Pac. The backup tracks are new, largely in the current minor-key gangsta mode, although Korn comes up with a rock stomp. Amid the slickly produced music, the condemnations of fatal East Coast-West Coast beefs and the respectful praise from the likes of Jay-Z, Ludacris, Eminem, the Game and Missy Elliott, the Notorious B.I.G.'s own low-fi rhymes -- full of raunch and casual gangsta belligerence -- sound more street than ever. JON PARELES